In just a couple of weeks Southampton is going to hit off!
A while back Betrayed By Life Records announced they will be bringing a hardcore fest to the centre of their local city of Southampton over the April bank holiday weekend.
Betrayed By Life Records appeared as a new name back in 2025 forming a joint label and promotion team which was originally behind their hxcfta days.
Their hardcore fest, known as Last Breath Fest will take place over two days.
This includes an evening pre show headlined by BN1’s Outlive at Planet Sounds (which is approximately a 10 minute walk outside of the city centre) as well as the main show taking place at Heartbreakers (located in the city centre a stones throw away from Hoglands Park) headlined by none other than Southampton’s very own Crossover Kings Grove Street.
Grove Street released their latest single Self Sabotage back in October last year with the hint of their new album in the works. With a tour completed with Gideon back in January and featuring on Knuckledust’s 30th Anniversary show at The Underworld in June. I’m sure this group of lads are extremely excited to be playing to their hometown crew this April.
I’ve seen these guys quite a few times in the past couple of years, including their sets at 2000 Trees and supporting Bane at The Underworld and I can safely say that their form of crossover is incredibly fun to get moshing to!
To see them as a headline act at a local festival will be something special and you won’t want to miss it!
Last Breath Fest also has some other incredible bands supporting Grove Street on the main show. Inlcuding Tempers Fray, Not Without Punishment, Concrete Jungle, Exhume, Exterminatus, Curfew, Emergency Broadcast, Skunk & Hypnotize. Here’s a snippet of just a few of those:
Tempers Fray have been putting in the work this year with a lot of shows for us all to look forward to as well as a few already played. Most recently they have headlined a show up in Notthingham and in the run up to this festival they will be heading across the UK to support NYHC legends Madball.
Not only this tour but they will also feature on festivals such as this years Foefest in Bristol and Burn It Down in Torquay. With new music on the horizon and a stacked bunch of shows they definitely have a year to look forward to!
You can check out their interview via the link below.
SOHC’s very own Not Without Punishment are also looking forward to playing a hometown show! They have recently featured in Gloucestershire supporting Perp Walk for GLHC’s first show, which went off! and they are also joining some of the other guys at Foefest and they will be heading back to Burn It Down this year.
With their most recent EP Blood Runs Cold released last April they’ve got some proper mosh music for you to dance to. So if you haven’t caught them before you’re in for a lot of movement!
Southampton Hardcore band Concrete Jungle are another group of lads looking forward to a hometown show. Releasing their debut EP Cause for Concern back in June through Betrayed By Life Records they have played with the likes of Overpower, Not Without Punishment & Higher Power.
Earlier this year they took part in the Ark At This’ show at Moor Beer Bristol and also joined Not Without Punishment at the GLHC Perp Walk show. They provided those in attendance with some proper mosh music and I’m sure you’ll be seeing a lot more of the same at Last Breath Fest!
Last but not least let’s look into some of the bands playing the Pre Show including Outlive, Rebel, Nihilith & Southampton new boys Instrument of God:
BN1’s own Outlive will be headlining the pre-show for Last Breath Fest this coming April bank holiday weekend. Outlive released their debut EP Blood4Blood back in July which also includes a feature from SOHC’s Not Without Punishment on their track No Loyalty.
They’ve been a bit quiet recently due to ongoing works in the background but apart from Last Breath Fest you can catch them at The Black Heart on April 19th supporting their brothers in Blood Gutter.
I recently spoke with vocalist Fen (who’s such a good dude by the way), so be sure to catch our interview with Outlive hitting the site in the next couple of weeks!
FYI, there is definitely something new coming from these guys, so hold up!
Out of the South East, Rebel Straight Edge have been straight up representing their area over the past year. Their 4 track demo was released back in October last year and they have been hitting up shows non stop.
They are also part of the New Youth Collective and have planned their New Youth Fest down near their local area in Ashford. I’m yet to see these young lads hit the stage but from what I’ve heard they are a breath of new blood and excitement.
Southampton Hardcore is in a great place, with a lot of up and coming bands and some already established in the scene. Just a thank you to Betrayed By Life Records and anyone else that showcases hardcore in the UK. Putting shows and festivals on is tough so support and respect those in your local scene where you can!
Betrayed By Life Records showcasing these guys in thier local scene is such a fantastic idea!
I look forward to seeing more of it!
Until next time, I’ll catch you in the pit!
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